Nanoflowers

A new tiny type of flower has been artificially made by scientists. Known as a nanoflower, these dinky plants can only be seen properly through an electron microscope.

Actually flower shape crystals rather than actual flowers, they build themselves one molecule at a time using an underwater chemical reaction.

Experts will use these tiny structures in microelectronics, sensors and optic materials and not as a cheap Valentine’s Day alternative.

p153 ‘nanoflower’ grown from chemical solution and p44 ‘nanoflowers’ created using carbon dioxide gas – copyright Joanna Aizenberg, Harvard University

p152 Nanoflowers grown from chemical solution – copyright Richard N. Zare, Stanford University

NanoScience: Giants of the Infinitesimal by Peter Forbes and Tom Grimsey and published by Papadakis (£24.99, www.papadakis.net)